These Russian/Asian creatures burrow into the cambium layer of our trees, feeding on the soft wood tissues eventually killing the tree by disrupting the flow of water and nutrients. In his article in Flyfisher, Bob Wiltshire states that the EAB “is the most devastating forest pest insect to be introduced to the United States.”

Anglers can be a “potent weapon” in the efforts to control the spread of this insect. We are outside more than the average person; we are more aware of our surroundings; we care deeply about the environment that supports our passion.

The International Fly Fishing Federation (IFFF) has partnered with the Invasive Species Action Network (ISAN) to teach anglers how to spot and report pests. ISAN has developed a handbook that describes the program. If you want to get involved please call ISAN at 406-222-7270.

+ Lots of family time

Δ Little writing

February 16, 2014. How can a month have gone by since my last post? In my year of 52 rivers I posted almost every day and lost myself in my fishing, travel, photography and writing.

Since my return in late December, the reality of everyday life has taken hold – mostly concerning family. A trip to Seattle to move a son, a trip to New Jersey for a family funeral, a trip to MI for a granddaughter’s 10th birthday. I’ve been traveling half the time since I’ve been back.

I’m not feeling angry, just frustrated and eager to focus on my book. Originally I had planned on having the book ready to sell by the beginning of the summer, but I have had to postpone that till fall. The good news is that I’ll be able to hang on to my year a little bit longer. The bad news is that I have to rely more on my notes and photographs than my memory as I tell my story.

Fortunately, all but seven chapters of my book are drafted. Now the fun part of playing with my words and sentences has begun in earnest. I’ve picked up several books on writing including Strunk and White’s Elements of Style, Stephen King’s On Writing, Dorothea Brand’s Becoming a Writer, and Betsy Lerner’s The Forest for the Trees. By far, my most favorite was Stephen King’s book.

I love the process of pulling together the writing and photographs to tell my story. In some ways it’s like tackling a giant crossword puzzle, or pulling together a complex conference. The challenge is not so much in the work as it is in finding the time to do it. Many of the biographies of writers make it clear that authors need to find a specific place and time to write everyday. I have the place. It’s just the time I need to find. That will happen again this month. My family will have to do without me again. I’m sure they’ll be just fine without me.